New Testament Survey

The New Testament is a foundational collection of books that speaks great volumes on the significance of Jesus and what it means to be his follower. Investigating the contents of those works with an appreciation of historical background and a concern for its overarching message has led many to marvel at its teaching and confidently claim that what it contains is nothing less than the very word of God—his message about salvation—to humanity. New Testament Survey will look to confirm such statements by examining major sections of the New Testament, providing helpful ways of approaching its message, and offering practical application in living out the story of Jesus in our modern day context.

SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION

In this Session we discuss four (4) distinct ways the Old Testament and the New Testament relate with one another. The building blocks of New Testament study are also covered in preparation for remaining Sessions.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 1 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Purchase An Introduction to the New Testament by D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo online. Memorize 2 Peter 1:19-21.

SESSION 2: FOUNDATIONS FOR NEW TESTAMENT STUDY

Key background concepts are a helpful tool to understanding the world in which the New Testament was written. In this Session, we will discuss the events and people of the Jewish world leading up to the time of Jesus, highlighting and pointing to the God who used these things in his divine plan.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 2 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapter 24 of An Introduction to the New Testament. Scan or read the material on the Intertestamental Period from the folks at Biblical Training here: [https://www.biblicaltraining.org/library/intertestamental-period.] Memorize Mark 1:14-15.

SESSION 3: THE GOSPELS

The four (4) Gospels tell the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. In this Session, we will look to explain why there are four (4) and how the unique approaches of each Gospel author contribute to the significance of the biblical story.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 3 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 1 & 5 of An Introduction to the Old Testament. Memorize John 1:1-5.

SESSION 4: ACTS

This Session will examine the book that chronicles the earliest “theological history” of the church in the Acts of the Apostles. We will pay special attention to how Luke’s emphases can be paradigmatic for our experience in the church today.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 4 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 6 of An Introduction to the New Testament. Memorize Acts 2:42-47.

SESSION 5: PAUL’S LETTERS – PART 1

Paul wrote at least thirteen (13) letters to early church congregations to address a number of issues and teach them further about the gospel. In this Session, we will look to explore the six (6) of those letters and draw out a few overarching themes in each.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 5 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapter 7 of An Introduction to the New Testament. Memorize Romans 12:1-2.

SESSION 6: PAUL’S LETTERS – PART 2

Paul wrote at least thirteen (13) letters to early church congregations to address a number of issues and teach them further about the gospel. In this Session, we will look to explore the remaining seven (7) and draw out a few overarching themes in each.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 6 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapter 15 of An Introduction to the New Testament. Memorize Philippians 2:5-11.

SESSION 7: GENERAL EPISTLES

This Session will look to unearth some of the major themes present in Hebrews, James, and 1 & 2 Peter. We will look specifically to show how each contributes to the Bible’s teaching on the call to perseverance and the right response to suffering.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 7 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 17, 18, 19, & 20 of An Introduction to the New Testament. Memorize Hebrews 12:1-2.

SESSION 8: LETTERS OF JOHN & JUDE

We will finish our survey on the General Epistles in the New Testament by examining the contributions of John’s three (3) letters and the writing of Jude. It will look to show the common theme among these three of confronting false teaching in and outside the church.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 8 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 21 & 22 An Introduction to the New Testament. 1 John 4:15-16.

SESSION 9: REVELATION

In this survey of Revelation, we will address some of the major difficulties many have with reading the book and offer some helpful insights to a responsible reading of its message. Special stress will be given to the return of Christ and the preview of God’s final redemption of creation.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 9 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapter 23 of An Introduction to the New Testament. Memorize Revelation 21:1-5.

SESSION 10: UNIFYING PURPOSE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

We will conclude the study of the New Testament by identifying the goal to which all the twenty-seven (27) books point. In doing so, this Session will also look to unify its teaching and offer a way to incorporate them practically.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 10 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Memorize Matthew 22:36-40

CHECK OUT MORE E4 STUDIES